Speaking of Love (Perfect Kisses) by Ophelia London Read Free Book Online

haven’t gotten that far—”
    “It’s AD Land Holdings!” Mac cut in.
    Rick lowered the water bottle and looked into Mac’s angry digital eyes. “Oh,” he said. “Well, I have nothing to do with—”
    “Nothing to do with your father’s company?” she asked, cutting him off again. “I find that hard to believe.”
    “Mac, my father owns many companies, most of which I have absolutely no involvement in.”
    Rick watched as Mac placed her fingertips against her forehead, massaging them around.
    “I can’t believe this is happening again,” she murmured into her keyboard.
    “What do you mean, again?” Rick asked, wishing there was a way to reach his hand through the screen and offer her some kind of comfort. Why was technology progressing so slowly?
    “Nothing,” Mac said. A moment later, she looked up. “You asked if there is something you can do?”
    Rick nodded, leaning forward. “Anything.”
    “You can write about Lincoln Park.”
    “I’m going to,” he said. “It’s a series. The next one is in tomorrow’s paper.”
    “What’s it about?” Mac asked, cradling a mug between her hands.
    “It’s more of an op-ed piece that I wrote a few days ago after visiting the park.”
    Now that Rick thought about what the article said, he wondered if Mac might not approve. She obviously loved that park, and not all the things he said about it were glowing. That side of the park was kind of run-down and needed major landscaping. Things like that would cost the city a lot of money. At least developing that land would bring in revenue.
    “Why don’t you write about actually saving the park?” Mac suggested.
    “I can’t.”
    “It’s your paper,” Mac pointed out. Her voice was growing louder. She was getting worked up again. “You can do whatever you want.”
    Rick placed his forearms flat against the desk. “You know I can’t.”
    “That’s ridiculous. Surely you can just—”
    “Mac, I can’t.” He hated cutting her off, but he needed her to understand.
    Mac’s hands were still covering her face. A moment later, she slid them off and leaned forward, looking directly into the camera. The way her body was now positioned was giving Rick a subtle, though prominent, glimpse at her suddenly very present cleavage.
    “Are you sure?” Mac said, twirling a strand of hair around one finger, her head titled to the side. If she moved another inch, Rick would be able to see all the way down to her belly button.
    “Nice try, Mackenzie, but that won’t work, either.” Rick grinned. “After the dress you wore last night, I’m completely immune to your cunning tactics.” He shook his head. “And you call yourself a feminist.”
    “Ugh.” Mac groaned, sitting back and crossing her arms. “What’s the point of having a male friend who owns a daily rag if I can’t take advantage of him?”
    “If you’d like to practice that act again, I’d be more than happy to watch, give you some tips.”
    Mac’s digital finger pointed at the screen. “We’re not done with this,” she said. “When you least expect it, I’ll try again.”
    Rick lifted one eyebrow. “Can’t wait.”

Chapter Five
    After a full day of classes and an extra-long after-hours meeting with the English Department, Mac climbed in her car and sped toward the setting sun. She had nothing on her mind but walking through the door and straight into a bubble bath.
    Mac reminded herself for the hundredth time that it had been a mistake to give her twenty-two-year-old sister a key to her apartment. First, she noticed a white car was parked in her assigned spot. Justine. Then she noticed that her visitor’s spot was also taken. Greg. Apparently it was a mistake to give her twenty-six-year-old brother a key, too.
    “I brought reinforcements,” Justine said to Mac, right as Mac stepped through the door. She was gesturing at their brother.
    “Hey Kinzy,” Greg said, the top half of his body hidden behind the refrigerator door. All